A new notice released Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission highlights a surge in 'romance scams,' or scenarios where scammers trick love-lusting internet users into sending them money, only to later disappear.

The scams cost victims an astonishing $143 million in 2018, up from $33 million the previous year and making it the most costly type of consumer fraud reported to the FTC.

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A new notice from the Federal Trade Commission highlights a surge in 'romance scams,' or scenarios where scammers trick love-lusting internet users into sending them money

HOW CAN YOU AVOID 'ROMANCE SCAMS'?

Romance scams, where criminals create phony profiles to trick love-lusting victims into sending them money, are on the rise.

To avoid falling prey, here's what you can do:

Slow down and talk to someone you trust. Don't let a scammer rush you.

Never wire money, put money on a gift or cash reload card, or send cash to an online love interest. You won't get it back.

Contact your bank right away if you think you've sent money to a scammer.

Report your experience to the online dating site, FTC or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Source: FTC

These romance scams typically involve a user creating a phony profile and approaching someone via a dating app or website.

The phony profiles tend to use a fake photo to deceive the other user into thinking they're someone they're not.

Over time, cybercriminals gain the victim's trust and love with the goal of getting them to send money via gift cards, wire transfer and other ways, the FTC noted.

Romance scams have continued to rise as more and more users reported them to the FTC in recent years.

The FTC received 21,000 user complaints of romance scams in 2018, which is a stark increase from the 8,500 complaints it received in 2015.

And the elderly appear to have gotten hit the most financially: The FTC said users over 70 reported an average loss of $10,000.

The median reported loss overall was $2,600, the agency noted.

However, users between the ages of 40 and 69 are most at risk of getting targeted with romance scams, according to the FTC.

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Romance scams have continued to rise as more and more users reported them to the FTC in recent years. The FTC received 21,000 user complaints of romance scams in 2018, which is a stark increase from the 8,500 complaints it received in 2015

'Romance scammers are hard at work wooing people on dating apps and social media,' Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, an attorney for the FTC's Division of Consumer & Business Education, wrote in a blog post.

'They may lift photos to create an attractive profile or even steal the identity of a real person.

'Just like with real romances, it may take them some time to gain your trust, but the scammer’s payoff can be big,' she added.

With more than 40 million Americans on dating services, ranging from Tinder to eHarmony, there's plenty of opportunity to get scammed.

Experts say that if someone requests money on a dating app, that should serve as a major red flag.

Additionally, if a user professes love to you not long after the conversation begins, that should also be an indicator that it's a scam.

And the elderly appear to be hit the most: The FTC said users over 70 reported an average loss of $10,000. The median reported loss overall was $2,600, the agency noted

Experts say if someone requests money on a dating app, that should be as a major red flag. Also, if a user says they love you not long after meeting you, that could indicate it's a scam

Scammers may also claim they're a U.S. citizen who is overseas for business and requires money immediately, the FTC said.

They may also attempt to lure you away from the dating site, or claim they need money for emergencies, hospital bills or travel.

If users sense something is off, they should try to verify the person's profile photo by using Google's 'search by image' feature.

This can help users discern whether or not the scammer may be using a fake profile photo from someone else's social media profile.

HOW CAN YOU CHECK IF YOU ARE BEING CATFISHED?

Dating apps and online websites are plagued with fraudulent profiles, known as 'catfishes'.

'Catfishing' originated as a term for the process of luring people into false relationships, however, it has also come to encompass people giving out false information about themselves more generally.

These profiles often use images of another person to allow users to pretend to be someone else in order to get a date, or scam money from a lonelyheart.

Fortunately, there are certain ways to check if these profiles are real people or if they are bogus accounts —

1. Google reverse image search

This is probably the most valuable tool for catching out a catfish and can be done via Google.

To kickstart the process, people need only right-click the photos that are arousing their suspcions, copy the URL and paste it into images.google.com.

The search engine will search to see if the image has been used elsewhere.

If you find the picture associated with a different person to the one you're speaking to on your dating app, it's likely you've met a catfish!

2. Use an app called Veracity

It is useful for dating sites such as Tinder, Bumble and Grindr as it allows images from Dropbox or Camera roll (or similar) to be cross-referenced against any matching results.

Load the app, then select a screenshot of the suspicious dating app profile from your camera roll to launch the search.

The app will tell you if the picture belongs to somebody else.

3. Check their Facebook

Almost everyone who has a profile on a dating site will have a Facebook account (most dating apps require users to have one, after all!) so it is always advisable to track down your potential suitor on other forms of social media.

4. Google them

Google and other search engines have an extensive repertoire and most people will crop up in a search.

In this day and age, it’s unusual for someone to have nothing on Google.

Have a search through for them or their relatives, things they’ve said or posted in the past. If there’s nothing, that should raise alarm bells.

5. Skype/Facetime/Video Chat

For prospective romantic engagements, seeing the face of someone you are virtually talking to is essential.

6. Money

Anyone that asks for money online or via an app is likely to be a fraud.